The third eye chakra (also known as the brow chakra) is associated with the color indigo and its Sanskrit name is Ajna. Its symbol is represented by a lotus of 2 petals. The third eye chakra governs the realm of “second sight”, also known as clairvoyance. It’s where we discern truth, gain wisdom, and refine intuition. When we are able to “see the big picture”—the “forest for the trees”, if you will—we are operating out of our sixth chakra. This is the realm where we begin to see life symbolically and archetypally, and are thus able detach from our experience.
This detachment helps us see the truth of the matter, and to realize that there is a bigger drama occurring beyond our “small potatoes” situation. When we can assess our life impersonally—even seeing our life symbolically--we can then be more “clear headed” to make conscious choice. The sixth chakra is also where we find challenges with being judgmental or making excuses for our negative patterns. Having your “head in the clouds” or “living inside your head” is also governed by the realm of the third eye chakra.
Some symptoms of third eye blockage include sinus trouble, headaches, “living in your head”, decrease in visions and intuition, and cessation of psychic awareness. There are several methods you can employ to help unblock the 6th chakra, also known as the third eye or brow chakra. Also, it's possible for the 6th chakra to be over-active. In this case, see my article 6th Chakra Over-Activity - Grounding Yourself.
Mudras Mudras are considered "yoga for the hands". Using specific hand positions can aid in opening each of the 7 chakras. For the 6th chakra, place your hands in a folded position (as if praying) just below your breast bone. Shift your hands to where your fingers are pointed outwards. Bend your fingers at the second knuckle except for your middle fingers. Keep them pointed straight, like a tent. Touch the ends of your thumbs together. (Your bended fingers and thumbs should form a heart shape as you look down on them.)
Mantras Sacred sounds and chanting used in meditation are known as mantras. We can open different chakras by changing the vibrational patterns of our life. Mantras can help us do that. According to Hindu metaphysics, each chakra is associated with a seed sound which contains the essence (and secrets) of the corresponding chakra. The mantra associated with the 6th chakra is OM. You can chant OM whenever you are praying or meditating, while using the Mudras, or as you go about your day. See my article Opening the Chakras Through Mantras for more information.
Color The color associated with the 6th chakra is Indigo. Color therapy, known as chromatherapy, has been around for centuries. It's a non-invasive, natural way to promote health. Consciously incorporating a color which corresponds to a specific chakra will help open that chakra. Indigo is a bluish purple color, so you could wear articles of clothing which are indigo in color. Or, you could visualize the color indigo in your mind's eye. Another way is to pour water in an indigo-colored glass and set it outside in the sun. After several hours in the indigo glass, you then drink the water. You could even ingest indigo colored foods such as concord grapes, plums, and grape juice.
Visualization Visualization can help unblock the 6th chakra. The word clairvoyance means "clear seeing", and both lairvoyance and visualizationfalls under the realm of the 6th chakra, often known as the third eye chakra or the brow chakra.
Quite a few scientists such as Karl Pribram and David Bohm theorize that the worlds (and our brains) function holographically. If we are but one part of a holographic universe, then we would have the ability to retrieve information from anywhere. It's just a matter of having the right "reference beam" to trigger that “aha!” moment of realization.
For example, let's say you want to remember the house you lived in as a child. You'd think back to the sights, smells, and experiences of your former home. In effect, you're re-creating your house through visualization.
What if, however, you were to visualize your dream house? And let's say that a rich uncle died and left you wads of money, enabling you to build that dream house? Because you imagined it before hand, it would be a form of clairvoyance.
Whether retrieving a memory or imagining the future, the process is the same and occurs within the realm of the third eye chakra. We have the ability to increase our clairvoyant abilities, and strengthen the 6th chakra, by visualization. It may take some practice, patience, and an open mind, but you can increase your clairvoyant abilities. Many times, it's just a matter of asking the right questions to get that "reference beam" to light up a missing piece of the puzzle!
According to Anodea Judith in her book Wheels of Life – A User’s Guide to the Chakra System, clairvoyance is "a matter of seeing the inner relationship of things--the fitting of the part into the whole." She also says "the ability to visualize successfully depends on constant use, like a muscle."
Judith also says that the 6th chakra transcends time, because "through our perception of spatial relationships, we have building blocks for both memory of the past and imagination of the future."
Here are some exercises and practices to help increase your clairvoyant abilities:
- First off, it's a good idea to have some type of meditation practice to help calm your mind. Ironically, the quick way to "see" more is to empty your mind of chaotic thoughts that vie for your attention. Just as it's difficult to hear a radio program when you're surrounded by external noise, so it is with visualization and a "noisy" mind. If you're new to meditation, or have never meditated, I highly recommend Getting in the Gap: Making Conscious Contact with God through Meditation by Dr. Wayne Dyer.
- When the phone rings, try to visualize the face of the caller.
- Re-construct memories of conversations, objects, and places from your past. Be as detailed as you can.
- Visualize situations. If you're going to a job interview, visualize how you wish to present yourself. What will you say? How will you explain your qualifications? If you have to do public speaking, visualize yourself speaking with confidence and ease. After time, do you notice that it makes doing those things easier?
- If you wish to see the root of a health problem, for example, visualize the outline of the body. Determine which colors will represent health, and which will represent disease. Do certain areas stand out? It's beneficial to practice with a friend to help gauge your accuracy. But don't worry about being "wrong"! It might take a little practice to "see", but the more you do it, the more sharp your clairvoyance will become. For example, you may "see" that your friend has a determined color surrounding their elbow...and find out they bumped it earlier that day!
- Use Tarot cards, runes, or other oracles. Psychologist Carl G. Jung was a student of the Tarot, and he believed that its insight was tied to a concept called synchronicity. Synchronicity is the idea that when two things happen together, meaning is created. When we have specific intent with oracles such as Tarot, we merge that intent with action. As we practice interpreting the symbols of the cards, placements, the relation to other cards, and so on, we're training ourselves to "see" clairvoyantly.
- Allow symbols to enter your mind when you ask for guidance. Visualization is just dreaming while awake. Just as dream symbols often speak about our desires, worries, and other subconscious information, we can use active dreaming to gain insight into our lives and sharpen our symbolic sight. I believe we all have a lexicon of symbols unique to us, and we can tap into those symbols for greater meaning. Take the time to write down your dreams or any symbols or visual metaphors that come to mind. Is there a play on words? What do the symbols remind you of? Are they related to a person or experience?
- Imagine a split screen in your mind's eye. The left side lights up red and means NO, and the right side lights up green to mean YES. Ask a question that you'd like to know the answer to with regards to your life and see what happens! Maintain a playful, explorative, and open attitude.
- Visualize the route you take to work, school, or the grocery store. Which roads do you take? What do you see?
- Imagine the relationships and situations as if they were characters on a stage. What role do you often play? What role do others play in your life? Do any of your relationships resemble those you've seen in a movie or read in a book? What Archetypes may be at play? Do you often play the Victim? The Hero? The Damsel waiting for her Knight? The Teacher? The Clown? The Child? Don Juan?
1. What beliefs do you have that cause you to interpret the actions of others in a negative way?
2. What negative behavioral patterns continually surface in your relationships to others?
3. What attitudes do you have that disempower you?
4. What beliefs do you continue to accept that you know are not true?
5. Are you judgmental? If so, what situations or relationships tend to bring out that tendency in you?
6. Do you give yourself excuses for behaving in negative ways?
7. Can you recall instances in which you were confronted with a more profound level of truth than you were used to hearing and found the experience intimidating?
8. What beliefs and attitudes would you like to change in yourself? Are you willing to make a commitment to making those changes?
9. Are you comfortable thinking about your life in impersonal terms?
10. Are you frightened of the changes that might occur in your life, should you openly embrace a conscious lifestyle?
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